NBA News and Rumor Roundup – August 15, 2009

Various reports quoted over the last month on the InsideHoops.com NBA rumors page stated that the Atlanta Hawks have had interest in the services of veteran forward/center Joe Smith. And now they may be set to sign him.

According to ESPN.com, “Joe Smith has agreed to a one-year deal with the Atlanta Hawks for the veteran’s minimum, a source told ESPN’s Ric Bucher on Friday.”

Since entering the league in the 1995-96 season, the 6-10, 230-pound Smith has career averages of 11.6 points and 6.7 rebounds in 27.7 minutes per game.

Clippers guard Baron Davis awoke from a bad dream and claims not to know what happened.

He cannot recall how the Clippers amassed a 19-63 record last season because of his refusal to reflect on it.

"I don’t know who that was last year," Davis said Friday while signing autographs during his basketball camp at his alma mater, Crossroads High in Santa Monica. "I honestly can’t remember or tell you anything that happened last year."

But then he does.

He thinks he returned too early from a sprained left ring finger he suffered at the beginning of the season. He says the root of his philosophical differences with Coach Mike Dunleavy stemmed from their failure to understand each other. He says there was not one instance last year of the team bonding. He repeatedly disparages his own play.

Davis vows that will change in the 2009-10 season. Where that will take the Clippers? The verdict is still out.

After the Heat traded center Mark Blount for veteran swingman Quentin Richardson late Thursday night, the Miami Herald’s Mike Wallace wrote: "Considering the slightly higher luxury-tax bill, this could be the unofficial end to any interest the Heat had in acquiring Allen Iverson. There already were concerns about potentially getting everyone enough shots before Richardson came aboard. Iverson, a pure scorer, won’t be needed as much."

Richardson ($9.3 million) makes more than Blount ($7.9 million) so that accounts for the luxury-tax hike.

Also, the 76ers are in the market for backcourt help with the free-agent defection of Andre Miller to the Trail Blazers, but CSNPhilly.com reported this week that a return to the team where Iverson became a household name was unlikely.

"Allen Iverson is a very good basketball player," 76ers general manager Ed Stefanski said. "But we don’t see him in our plans with the age of our kids. We are going to go with youth at the point guard position, and I am sure Allen will hook on with someone."http://www.freep.com/article/20090815/SPORTS03/908150355/1051/